Change of Heart

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Thisis my SEQUEL to AU version to a different outcome from the RISE episode in Canon COURSE CORRECTION and UNEXPECTED DETOUR, you will need to read those first to understand this work. This picks up exactly where we left off, no time jumps longer than a few months.

I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only

Chapter 5

Previously

"Shane's giving Alexis her charm now, so when I write the letter, I won't ruin his surprise. I just hope Alexis takes it the way it's intended." Mandy sighed,

"You know, Gina would know her better than me, why don't you run it by her, she's Mom to Alexis and always will be." Kate said quietly, not noticing that Gina was directly behind her,

"Kate, that was so sweet of you to say, I'm not sure if it's correct, but Thank You, what do you want to run by me Mandy," Gina asked as the three ladies stood in almost a group hug. Mandy showed Gina the original and new charm, and once again there was a tear burst,

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Castle's Loft

Saturday January 2nd

6:00 AM

Kate and Mandy were sitting at the kitchen table, enjoying their second cups of coffee when they heard the front door rattle, then open, then Alexis say,

"Shh, we don't want to wake them, and God Kate's a light sleeper, be quiet, and remember, we fell asleep" almost like a girl much younger than she was, definitely not a girl getting married in 6 days.

"I'm being as quiet as I can Lex, you know the layout, I don't so take my hand so I don't knock something off the tables" Shane whispered,

Kate looked at Mandy and saw the same devilish look in her eye that Rick often got, as she quietly crept toward the light switch, and just as the young couple came into view, flipped the switch illuminating most of the downstairs.

The two froze in their tracks, as Mandy said "You guys want coffee? Get yourself setup in your rooms so Rick won't kill you both, and come on back" she smiled as Alexis turned redder than her hair.

"Eh Good Morning Mom, Kate, eh we were, that is I mean,"

"You weren't doing anything that any of us would not be doing if our roles reversed, just don't advertise it to her Dad, he's having trouble coming to grips that it's OK when you kiss her" Kate laughed quietly

Alexis crossed the room, whispered "Thanks Kate, we both needed that, I love you all" as she pulled her into a hug.

"I know Sweetie, I know how I feel about your Dad, but I'm sure you don't want to hear about that either, I think you even said eeewwwwww Parental Sex, Please that's a form of Child Abuse once." As they both laughed.

"Mandy, I read your letter, I love you too, God, thank you so very much, it made me think about so much but knowing it's coming at least I can plan, not that it will help, but it won't be a total surprise. Thank You, I love my charm, and the way you captured it in your letter, I know it was a special time for you and Shane's Dad." She whispered with a tear in each of the lady's eyes.

"Like Kate said, go get settled then come back for coffee, no sense alerting Rick, I know he's not stupid, but don't wave the flag in his face, it's tough times for us all" Mandy said,

Alexis and Shane retreated to their room, changed clothes and rejoined the family for coffee, Gina and Rick had both joined in now, and Shane couldn't help but feel Rick's glaring eyes on him.

"Well, did everyone sleep OK last night?" Rick asked, still looking at Shane, then Alexis,

"Rick can I see you in private for a minute please" as Kate took his arm not waiting for an answer and led him to his office.

She forgot the bedroom was sound proof, the office was not. "Cut the crap Rick, it's your Daughter and Son-in-law, and are you really going to be so pious as to look down upon them spending time together 6 days before they are getting married. Rick he's going to be gone for a long time, Alexis needs every moment, every kiss, and yes, every love making session they can have to hold her till he returns. Lose the macho shit, everyone knows she is your little girl, Newsflash, she loves Shane as her HUSBAND, and you as her DAD, so get off the pedestal. You want to tell you daughter all about the time we *"

"No, No Kate, that's enough, you're right, I was wrong, let me make it up to them" he interrupted.

"OK Rick, but I swear, you hurt her, or make her feel cheap I will tell her all about the escapades of her Dad, the ones you paid dearly to keep quiet. Back off and support them, these are our kids, I mean it" Kate was emphatic, and Rick knew she had just put the hammer down on him.

They walked out of the office holding hands with smiles on their faces, but Gina burst that bubble.

"Kate, sweetie, only the bedroom is soundproof, the office, not so much. Way to go girl, you handled that like a pro, like I wish I could have done." She laughed

Alexis walked over and hugged Kate, looking up, she mouthed "Thanks Kate, we love you too."

Rick quickly changed subjects, "Who's up for breakfast, what'll it be" as Mandy, Gina and Kate shared that look that all Mom's have when they protect their offspring.

Xx

Two hours Later

Rick's office phone rang, a peculiar sound, since almost 95% of his calls and business were handled using his cell phone. Hardly anyone ever called on the landline. He walked quickly to his desk, not bothering to close the door and hit speaker and said, "Good Morning, Rick Castle",

"I knew you were a Son of a Bitch, a Low Life, miserable bastard, that drug my name through the mud every chance you got, you sit on your pedestal shacking up with your Cop Whore and*"

"Meredith is there a reason for your call, or didn't you get your money's worth out of the last boy toy you paid to escort your ass around? Why are you calling me, I know you feel the same about me as I do you?"

"Our daughter is getting married, and you never bothered to call me to ask me,"

"Ask you, you haven't had custody since she was three months old, I don't have to ask you besides, it was up to Alexis to notify who she wanted, and when we asked her about you, she emphatically said no"

"I don't believe that your lying bastard, you always tried to turn my little girl against me, you Asshole, everything she's ever heard is how I was screwing another man when you got home, poor Rick, it's part of my job and you couldn't take it."

Alexis had heard, well the entire house had heard but Shane witnessed a preview of what he would face if he ever pissed off his future wife. Her face was ablaze and she was in her Dad's office in three steps it seemed, armed, locked, and loaded just waiting to blast the woman screaming at her Dad.

"Meredith, STOP, it wasn't Daddy who did anything, I don't want you at my Wedding, I don't want or need a lunch date 2 or 3 times a year that Vegas odds give a 2-1 shot you won't bother to show up for anyway, so STOP screaming at Daddy.

Get this through your head, you are my BIRTH mother, nothing more, Gina and Kate are my Moms, and Mandy is my Mom in Law so why don't you rush off to your next audition, I'm sure his Viagra will be wearing off if you don't hurry.

By the way, don't call me, don't ask about me, just remember all the times you said you would be here for me and never were. I have three Moms now, and I sure as hell don't need the woman who wanted to abort me, but gave in to carrying me when Daddy moved to Los Angeles so you could try to screw your way into a movie role, regardless if you were pregnant with me or not. Daddy never told me anything, but you might want to check with your Mom, I think she hates the fact she didn't abort you.

Yeah, genealogy is a two-edged sword, I found my Grandmother in Denver, your mother who you left alone and destitute. Who does that? Don't you have a soul at all? You don't know this, but I have an Uncle, yeah that's right you weren't the only child and now Grandma is living in luxury with a son who loves her.

I asked her about you, she replied, someday you will understand this, but I wish to God Abortions could be retroactive, I never would have birthed such an evil bitch. That's YOUR Birth Mom Meredith, not an endorsement for you as a human.

I see Daddy making faces, I know he's upset with me, because he taught me better, not to stoop to your level. Well one last time, I don't ever want to talk to you again, if you approach me or my family, I will have you arrested.

There's already a restraining order out, perhaps your snitch forgot that, by the way does Paula know you're screwing her boyfriend every trip he makes out there? You'll need a new source, since I'm sure Paula is about to send his ass packing to you.

Keeping with Daddy's wishes I will apologize for foul language, for behavior not suiting my upbringing, but Meredith, I'm serious, that's all I'm sorry for, have a Great Life" and Alexis cut the call.

The entire Loft was silent, Rick walked to Alexis, pulled his little girl into a hug and let her cry, she cried for years of disappointment, years of lies, years of being used as a pawn, but most of all she cried because she was afraid she would inherit some of her qualities if she ever had children.

Rick caught Shane's eye and gave him a look to come to his future wife, he slipped in and gently held Alexis as almost a sign of the time was happening. Dad had been the one who made everything right, now that she found her Soul Mate, he was the one to dry her tears, share her joys, encourage her with the lows, and it wasn't lost on Kate as she slipped beside Rick to hold him. His tears fell silently, not for Meredith, but for what he and everyone just witnessed, his little girl was now some other man's everything.

Rick composed himself as he and Kate walked back out to meet Gary, Mandy and Gina,

"I'm very sorry you had to hear that," Rick apologized,

"Hell Rick, she's losing her touch, she used to use better cuss words" Gina said with a short laugh, it seemed to lift the mood of the room.

"You know you're right Genes, she did, didn't she" Rick laughed,

That moment made it clear to Rick, that he would always love his daughter, but now, she was a woman now, not a little girl, and he had to respect that. The proverbial torch had been passed to the man in her life, Shane and as hard as that was to come to grips with, it was necessary to help the couple prepared for the future.

Kate had slipped away for a few moments and placed a call,

"Espo, yeah it's me, fine, fine, everyone is fine, look I need a favor and I don't have long to talk. Meredith is threatening to show up at the wedding, Alexis has a restraining order so I was wondering if you can contact your friend at TSA, and put a watch on her for flights to New York. She may be coming from somewhere other than LA, so if he could drop the alert, I would appreciate it."

"So Little Castle doesn't want her Mom at the wedding, sounds kind of harsh, but*"

"Javi, I called asking for a favor, not a commentary on parenting skills, and for the record, you really should keep your mouth shut when you don't know what you're talking about. Look if you can't handle this I can*"

"Hey I said I got this, sorry I ruffled your feathers, and you're right I have no idea what's going on with Alexis and her Mom, but I know how she is, it can't be good if she's shutting her out of her big day.

I'll have my buddy keep an eye on the flights inbound and if he can flag here as a potential risk, I don't want anything to upset Alexis on her wedding day, she has enough on her."

"Thanks, Javi, I appreciate it, yeah she's taking on a hell of a load, but if anyone can do it, it's her, but if you are a praying man say a few for Shane. You know all too well what he's about to face, so keep him in your thoughts,"